Courtesy story, Marine Corps Installations Pacific

MARINE CORPS AIR STATION FUTENMA, Japan – Marine Corps Air Station Futenma hosted a culinary competition with participants from across the Pacific April 19, 2026.

Culinary Food Specialists, also known as 3381s, participated in The Food Service Specialists of the Quarter Competition, a long-standing tradition within the Marine Corps Food Service community. Judges determined the winner based upon presentation, nutrition, ingredient compatibility, creativity, and flavor.

The event showcased the all the participants culinary skills, while fostering pride and esprit de corps.

Prior to the competition, the teams of two received one hour to develop and prep ingredients for a three-course meal. Their menus included an appetizer, a main entree, and a dessert with an optional beverage fitting a “holidays and festivities” theme.

The competition began at 4:30 a.m. Over the course of the next four hours, participants executed their plans to demonstrate their culinary skills.

Team four secured first place, earning praise from both the judges and attendees. They demonstrated superior culinary skills by delivering a meal that won both the judges’ top marks and the People’s Choice award.

Team four, from Marine Corps Base Hawaii, consisted of Cpl. Brock J. Hull and Lance Cpl. Jhaezel A. Dy. They based their theme on a harvest festival. The appetizer included honey garlic dinner rolls, alongside Dy’s specialty lobster bisque. Their main meal featured Hull’s specialty: mashed potatoes, honey-glazed Cornish hen, and bacon-wrapped asparagus. This was paired with a mango pineapple refresher. For dessert, they served pumpkin cheesecake.

The participants viewed the competition as a unique opportunity to step away from day-to-day operations to test their skills and creativity.  

“We want to bring out all the Marines to get out of their shells to get comfortable getting challenged when it comes to their military occupational specialty,” said Staff Sgt. Morelia Capuchinodiaz.  

Culinary Food Specialists provide food to their fellow Marines every day to boost morale and encourage mission success. Without these Marines, the Corps would not be able to complete the mission as efficiently and effectively as it does. Marines may credit much of their success to the work that few others ever get to see or understand.  

“Everyone looks forward to chow everyday; the effort and the passion that these Marines put in behind closed doors is really going to make someone’s day and set them up for success,” said Capuchinodiaz.